Does this menu look ok?

[BellaAndDave]

My DS is bringing his newish partner for dinner on Sunday and I’ve never cooked a full vegan menu before. Does this look ok? Is it too over the top for going to your new partners parents for dinner? I just want her to feel welcome.

Spicy butternut squash and sweet potato soup.

Beetroot and mushroom wellington, roast potatoes, parsnip and carrots tossed in dandelion honey and onion gravy will be on the table too.

Coconut passion fruit and mango pavlova.

And also the menu looks amazing by the way. Never heard of dandelion honey - has it been hard to track down? You could use maple syrup instead?

Butter in the pastry for the Wellington ?

Sounds like a lovely menu. I'm sure she'll be chuffed you've gone to so much effort.

That pavlova sounds amazing!

It sounds lovely, but personally I think that soup is a bit heavy with that main. Squash, sweet potatoes, more potatoes, parsnips, carrots and beetroot is a lot of starchy root veg. I think I would go with a salad starter instead. Mixed leaves, fresh mixed tomatoes, pine nuts, with a light dressing. Something like that.

Aldi and the Co-op are both good for labelling their vegan wines, and they're not hard to find.

I just want to say I think you sound amazing, and she will feel so welcome! I agree with a PP that I'd want a green vegetable with the main. Maybe some cavolo nero with its slight bitterness to cut through the sweetness of the beetroot and carrots.

Green beans maybe or shredded sprouts?

Sounds nice, I’m vegetarian, but I’d not serve anything called honey. Just make veggie gravy. Also feels formal and a bit overwhelming and feeling so I’d just do the main without honey gravy and a simpler pudding like crumble with shop bought vegan icecream/custard ( both of which taste really nice if you’ve not eaten them before).

Exactly how I’d feel, completely overwhelming. I’d prefer a cup of tea and a biscuit.

No they aren’t. I’d stick to fruit juice.

So kind of you to go to so much effort, you sound lovely.

I’d probably skip the starter and offer vegan tapas instead (not so heavy and less formal). Olives, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, hummus and breadsticks. That kind of thing.

I think it sounds lovely put personally would drop the starter as three courses feels quite formal.

She may feel quite nervous.... I was when I met DH's parents and a long three course meal may not be ideal. Sometimes it's easier to make the sit down and chatting bit quicker and then get everyone helping with washing up/clearing plates etc.

If you're going for a less formal vibe I would drop the starter. As soon as you have 3 plated courses it feels more formal, you'll have to be up and down from the table. Keep the soup up your sleeve for another time.

You sound very lovely and thoughtful.

As long as they’re not getting out the fine China, silverware and napkins, I’d feel so welcome if somebody created this menu for me. It’s so thoughtful.

I think that is A LOT of root veg.

Oh my gosh I’d love it all including the soup! So amazing that you’d cook all this.. I’d think you were fantastic

Nope sorry OP but this all sounds awful.

I think you should disinvite her and let me come instead 😁

It all sounds so amazing!
I personally wouldn’t do a pavlova because I’m not a good cook and I definitely wouldn’t be able to do a vegan one but if you have tried it and it went well then definitely go for it!

You are obviously very talented.

I would ket DS know in advance that everything is vegan and then remind her when she comes, as some of those things could contain milk, butter, eggs etc so she could be a bit worried.
You could even have the recipes to hand.

I’ve never heard of dandelion honey!

Its so lovely to hear of someone wanting to be welcoming and it’s a rarity on here.
She must be very nervous and this will make her feel so much better.

You sound lovely and I hope it all goes well.

This all sounds lovely OP. I'll be round with some vegan chocolate. 🌹

And me? Where do you live? 😋

I’m vegan and this all sounds lovely to me

Sounds lovely, but 3 courses for lunch would feel way too formal for me, so I’d not make the soup.

You sound like an amazing cook!
The food sounds incredible x

You could cut down on the roasted vege a bit and do some Savoy cabbage or green beans. Easy and fresh against the carbs.

I'd lose the sweet potatoes altogether. Keep the soup - just make sure the portions are small. Or lose it and just have olives/nuts to pick at.

I'm a greedy bastard though - I'd like all three courses, maybe with a gap and a coffee before the dessert.

Op have you checked with your son whether she'd be comfortable with this? He's the best person to ask. Some of us on here have said we'd be really uncomfortable and feel anxious etc. She may be the same so I'd check with your son.

On the wine - as well as being aware of isinglass which is from fish, wines marked vegetarian may well use egg for the finings, so wouldn't be vegan.

If you go on the supermarket website you can probably do a search for all their vegan wines, so you're not having to scrutinise every label in the shop.